Brussels – The European Union (EU) Parliament warned that it would not clear the investment agreement with China unless China withdrew all the sanctions imposed by China against the EU and its officials. In the meeting held on Thursday, the EU Parliament decided to put the deal on hold. This decision to put the agreement on hold becomes a significant jolt for the Chinese aspirations to increase its influence in Europe; China has expressed strong resentment over the decision.
Last year, in December, the EU and China signed a ‘Comprehensive Agreement on Investment’. The EU Parliament needed to clear the agreement for its implementation. But, in its session on Thursday, the EU Parliament passed a resolution against the deal. The resolution was passed with a majority of 599 votes in favour and 30 against. The resolution adopted a strong stand against the sanctions imposed by China against the EU officials.
The resolution warns, ‘The sanctions imposed by China is an encroachment on fundamental freedom. China should withdraw this action with immediate effect.’ The EU Parliament also warned that there would be no negotiations regarding the investment agreement given the sanctions imposed by China. The EU Parliament also accused that the sanctions imposed by China are a part of the policies of the Chinese monopolistic regime. At this time, the EU Parliament also lashed out at handling human rights by China and the atrocities against the Uyghurs in Xinjiang province, in sharp words.
An intense reaction was received against the EU Parliament’s decision to put the agreement on hold. Zhao Lijian, the spokesman of the Chinese foreign ministry, warned, ‘The EU Parliament should immediately stop interference in the internal Chinese affairs. At the same time, it should drop its position of conflict against China. The EU Parliament’s decision has delivered a strong jolt to the EU-China relations. China is not responsible for it.’
Meanwhile, the anti-China sentiment over the issue of the Uyghurs is seen to be intensifying in the European countries. Following the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada, the European country of Lithuania has referred to the atrocities against the Uyghurs as ‘Genocide’. On Thursday, resolution to this effect was passed in the Lithuanian Parliament.
